tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2780843385296801955.post2512909660846224014..comments2014-10-29T10:46:54.194-04:00Comments on A View From The Cave: Half-Hearted Democracy Promotion: Is the International Community Asking for Post-Election Violence in DRC?Tom Murphyhttps://plus.google.com/105760347691482268761noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2780843385296801955.post-3370646285512164502011-12-07T11:40:23.730-05:002011-12-07T11:40:23.730-05:00Mr Metzel,
Thank you for your response, I wish to...Mr Metzel,<br /><br />Thank you for your response, I wish to clarify my argument. I respect any difference of opinion you my have, but take issue with the fact that this is simply a result of having &quot;not done my homework&quot;.<br /><br />1) I do not dispute the violence by the Kabila regime or its predecessors. I acknowledged in my post above that state forces have gunned down civilians in the street and have also alluded to massive fraud. No argument here. This, however, what not the point of emphasis of my piece and thus did not elaborate further.<br /><br />2) With respect to the non-violence of Dr. Tshisekedi. Here we do disagree, in part. The only actual act of violence I attribute to him or the UPDS in this post is the throwing of molotov cocktails (reported here: http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/drc-elections-helmets-and-bulletproof-vests-needed and elsewhere). While the scale of violence and fraud, committed by the PPRD, from reports, trumps that of the UPDS it is unfair to characterize your preferred candidate as a strict adherent to principles of non-violence. I am not aware of Dr. Tshisekedi denouncing the acts of his followers publicly. There are additional cases of incitement that bring into question his commitment to resolving issues peacefully in DRC and abroad: 1) Calling for supporters to break their colleagues out of prison 2) reports of violence in Cape Town (http://westcapenews.com/?p=3435) 3) and in Brussels - http://mg.co.za/article/2011-12-06-drc-election-results-expected-as-kabila-shows-lead. Again, my contention is not that Kabila&#39;s regime has not been violent, nor is it that he has not been more repressive than the UPDS leader. Simply put, Tshisekedi&#39;s rhetoric has hardly espoused non-violence. If you have evidence to the contrary (besides his own party website) I would be happy to look at it.<br /><br />3) The main point of the essay has largely been missed in your comment. I am criticizing the international community for not taking a strong enough line for free and fair elections in places like the DRC and elsewhere. This is surely something you could agree with. Within the current framework, I suggest that the rational strategic move (regardless of how moral or immoral) is unfortunately violence for the UPDS. The attention that the international community will pay to the election is a direct result of how unstable the situation is. If UPDS did not call for massive demonstrations, that will surely turn violent, protesting a likely fraudulent result, the powers that be will not care. It is not good for democracy in DRC or anywhere else for violence to be a necessary part of resolving an election. Again, I am suggesting that this is the rational course of action for a leader who wishes to gain power the presidency. <br /><br />I welcome your response and the continuation of this or any other dialogue on the issue.<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />Ben BrockmanBennoreply@blogger.com